Wally's All-Stars Napa/Sonoma

Geez, so bummed I'm going to be at yet *another* fabulous event this weekend, but if you're not joining us in Santa Ynez check this one out... $39.99 in advance, $50 at the door.



http://www.wallywine.com/p-73502-2011-all_stars-napasonoma-wine-tasting-at-wallys-_-sunday-april-17.aspx

SYV Vintner Weekend events

Flying Goat Cellars Winemaker Dinner at the Mission

Friday, April 15, 6pm

Norm Yost’s annual winemaker's dinner Flying Goat’s full line of wines and Santa Barbara-based Bouchon Restaurant at the historic La Purisima Mission.

Fiddlehead Cellars Pinkie and Paella!
Friday, April 15, 7pm

It's our second annual sit-down paella dinner at FiddleHeadquarters, our Lompoc Winery, to celebrate the release of our 2010 Pink Fiddle! Get in the spirit and come dressed in PINK - prizes will be awarded for the most creative costumes in the following categories (and there is sure to be tough competition!): Best Overall Male, Best Overall Female, Best Overall Couple, Best Accessories, Best Headgear, Best Shoes, Most Creative/Unique. Dinner is limited to just 40 guests, so reserve your spot today. Big Discounts on wine purchases this night for attendees only.

Foley Estates Chuck Wagon Brunch
Saturday, April 16, 10am - noon

While you're in Lompoc  for this year's famous Vintner's Festival, we invite you to drop by Foley Estates winery for our 5th Annual Chuck Wagon Brunch. You'll be able to feast on a hearty brunch featuring all of our favorite local breakfast dishes. Plus each guest in attendance will receive a complimentary tasting of the current Foley Estates releases and a 30% discount on all wine purchased at the event!

Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival
Saturday, April 16, 1 - 4pm

Held just on the outskirts of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association is celebrated the arrival of Spring with this annual festival. Many of our members will be there pouring their wines, joined by dozens of local caterers and specialty food purveyors, two live and lively bands and local artists. Plus, a silent auction to benefit local charities – a grand afternoon at River Park!

Longoria Wines Winemaker’s Dinner at The Ballard Inn
Saturday, April 16, 6pm

Join Rick Longoria and Chef Budi Kazali for their annual Vintners' Festival Winemaker's Dinner. The food and wine pairing is always spectacular. Seating is very limited. Contact The Ballard Inn for details and reservations: 805-688-7770

Fiddlehead Cellars Tasting in the Cellar
Sunday, April 17, 11am - 4pm

Don’t miss this opportunity to taste with Kathy (Head Fiddle) and “Doyle” (Second Fiddle) as we pour a great line-up! We expand our Tasting Room into our quaint cellar and share the “ins” and “outs” of how Fiddlehead wines are made. For the first time ever we will likely be tasting a barrel sample of Pinot Noir from the 2010 vintage as well as a pre-release taste of the 2008 vintage (with a “futures” offering on this 2008 wine, this day only!).

Flying Goat Cellars Open House
Sunday, April 17, 11am - 4pm

Annual Vintners Festival Open House in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Enjoy tasting our sparkling wines, single vineyard Pinot Noirs and library wines. Light appetizers will also be served.

Longoria Wines Open House
Sunday, April 17, 11am - 4pm

Join us for our annual Open House featuring our newest releases; 2010 Pinot Grigio and 2009 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard along with artisan cheeses and live music by local Santa Barbara musicians Ben and Ash. Special discounts will be available during the weekend. At the tasting room in Los Olivos.

Prodigal Open House
Sunday, April 17 11am - 4pm

Please join us at our new tasting room and winemaking facility. We will be pouring our 2007s as well as our soon-to-be-released 2008s.

Santa Anita Food Truck Festival 2

This fun event popped up on my radar today... The list of participating trucks is pretty impressive, and more than worth the $5 entry fee.

http://www.santaanita.com/press/pressrelease/2011/03/santa-anita-stage-food-truck-festival-ii-total-80-gourmet-food-trucks

Apparently it was a bit of a mess in January, but they hope to have it "more streamlined" this time around. Let's hope! Get there early, and be prepared for lines...

There will also be races that day, plus fun events for the whole family. Gates open at 10:30, food festival starts at 11am. First post at 12:30pm.

Sta Rita wines at Palate in Glendale

Was very excited to hear about this event. Not sure which part I'll be attending, but I'm going to try to make both if at all possible. Unfortunately it's a Sunday, but given Palate's great reputation for food, I'm sure it'll be fabulous... 

Tasting & Winemaker Dinner
April 3rd. Tasting from 1-4. Dinner from 6:30 pm
Palate Food + Wine
933 South Brand Avenue, Glendale CA

Join us and our fellow winegrowers from the Sta. Rita hills for what will no doubt be a stellar day of tasting, communing & breaking bread. Both events will sell out quickly so don't wait to either buy tickets on line for the afternoon tasting or make a reservation for the winemaker dinner through palate.
afternoon tasting
20+ winemakers & producers / 40+ wines / roasted goat tacos!
1 pm to 4 pm
$40 pre-sale or $50 day of event
to buy tickets click here!
winemaker dinner20+ winemakers & producers / 20+ wines / whole roasted heritage pigs!
6:30 pm reception / 7 pm dinner (4-course family style)
$110 all inclusive
limited seating
reservations 818.662.9463 ext. 101
nina@palatefoodwine.com
For menu and wine information click here!

Sta Rita Hills Appellation

Sta Rita Hills has its own trade group, the Sta Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance. http://www.staritahills.com/index.html

This also has a good list of events upcoming, and I'll be writing more about some of these specifically... But in the meantime, go check out some of my favorite wineries grouped all together here.

Santa Ynez Vintners Festival

As you may know from me yammering on and on about it, this is one of my favorite things to do; I love the Santa Ynez Valley and am of course particularly partial to the wines of Sta Rita Hills. 

The Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival weekend is April 15-17th. I am taking the day off work Friday, will probably head up either Thursday evening or very early Friday morning, and will return Sunday evening or possibly Monday morning very early. (Traffic coming back on Sunday can be brutal!)

The unique thing about this festival is that the SBCVA *requires* its members to pour at the event, so even the cult wineries and smallest of the small are represented. Plus almost every winery in the valley has some special event going on, especially ones that are usually not open to the public... 

Here's the information on the Festival itself: http://www.sbcountywines.com/events/festival.html

It's Saturday from 1-4pm in a lovely creekside park in Lompoc. 

One of my other favorite things is the Au Bon Climat/Tantara adjacent competing BBQs on Sunday in the Santa Maria AVA, half hour north of Buellton, which is a good reason to plan to stay over on Sunday if at all possible. Otherwise hit one or the other, or Los Olivos, and head home from there. More information as it is released... 

I would *highly* recommend booking a hotel room NOW. There are still rooms available now, but they won't last much longer. I usually don't bother to go fancy on the lodging (would rather spend the coin on wine), but there is a relatively limited selection of accommodations, and they fill up fast, especially in Solvang, which is the most central. I've booked the moderate Kronborg Inn for 3 nights for myself to make sure I have something, but can cancel. http://www.kronborginn.com/ 

Hadsten House is just next door, and the Holiday Inn Express Solvang (a bit nicer than your normal HIE, and also Danish-themed) is next to that. I would recommend any of the mid-range places in Solvang for centrality, even though the Danish kitsch can be a bit much. 

Other areas to look at: Los Olivos (especially the lovely but pricey Fess Parker Inn); Buellton (Marriott's nice, though not fabulous; Days Inn & Quality for budgets); and of course Santa Barbara, though of course I wouldn't recommend the drive after drinking... better to stay in the Valley if at all possible. 

I'll continue to post more information as it becomes available. Wineries are still finalizing their event details...